Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program Overview

The Rainy River District Services Board in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario has worked to develop Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Programs for the Municipalities and First Nations across the Rainy River District.

We presently oversee more than 70 units; offering inspection, servicing, public education, and resupply. The locations range from schools to provincial parks.The focus of this program is to help save lives. For each minute that passes when Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) strikes, the victim loses up to 10% chance of survival. PAD programs, when properly set-up and maintained are able to deliver the first shock from an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the SCA victim within just 3 minutes. This quick response by trained responders or a Good Samaritan gives the victim a 70% chance of survival as outlined in the four critical steps needed to save a life: